Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government is investing record levels of funding to tackle all forms of violence against women and girls and to ensure that victims receive the support which they need. This includes funding for Scottish Women’s Aid and the Women’s Aid network who provide vital services for women, girls and children who have experienced or who are experiencing domestic abuse. Over the last 5 years, the total funding allocation from the Equality Budget to these organisations is as follows:

2012-13: £5,124,150

2013-14: £5,516,740

2014-15: £5,577,567

2015-16: £5,433,956

2016-17: £6,039,116

During the passage of the Criminal Justice Bill (now Criminal Justice (Scotland) Act 2016), evidence was provided by the Scottish Appropriate Adult Network (SAAN), Police Scotland and others on the current operation of appropriate adult services in Scotland.

In response to the evidence presented, the Scottish Government committed to continue working with the local authorities, Police Scotland and other interested parties to take the necessary steps to put in place a sustainable model for the long-term delivery of appropriate adult services in Scotland.

The Scottish Government is engaging extensively with relevant stakeholders, including SAAN and Police Scotland, to develop such a model. Given the differing arrangements for the delivery of appropriate adult services across the local authorities, this includes ongoing work to ascertain accurate costs for the provision of the current service.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information, but statistics on the provision of appropriate adults broken down by local authority area can be found on the Scottish Appropriate Adult Network website. This information covers the years 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2014-15. http://www.scottishappropriateadultnetwork.co.uk/reports-statistics#

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. It is a matter for local authorities.

Cabinet Secretary/ Minister

Correspondence Received between 1 May and 31 August 2016 Total added to MACCS Reply not yet issued (%) Interim Reply – no final reply issued (%) Interim Reply – Final reply issued (%)

First Minister	2439	23.0	0.4	1.0
DFM and Education and Skills	674	26.7	3.3	1.2
Finance and Constitution	129	45.7	1.5	1.5
Economy, Jobs and Fair Work	266	29.7	0.4	1.9
Rural Economy and Connectivity	351	39.6	1.1	2.3
Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform	326	28.5	0.3	1.5
Health and Sport	879	23.0	0.1	1.9
Justice	298	34.6	0.3	2.3
Culture, Tourism and External Affairs	264	31.4	0.4	0.7
Communities, Social Security and Equalities	294	20.7	0.3	0.3
Childcare and Early Years	99	31.0	2.0	1.0
Further and Higher Education and Science	81	27.1	0.0	2.5
Parliamentary Business	61	8.2	0.0	1.6
Business Innovation and Energy	196	47.4	0.5	1.5
Employability and Training	89	28.4	0.0	1.1
Transport and Islands	611	19.9	0.0	0.8
Mental Health	121	28.1	0.0	0.8
Public Health and Sport	179	35.8	0.0	2.5
Community Safety and Legal Affairs	33	39.4	3.0	0.0
International Development and Europe	90	20.0	0.0	0.0
Local Government and Housing	272	29.0	0.0	1.1
Social Security	34	64.7	0.0	2.9
Scottish Ministers (general)	1723	12.5	0.3	0.6
All	9509	24.2	0.6	1.1

We recognise that action is needed to stimulate demand for energy efficiency improvements, and the programme for government sets out our intention to consult this winter on the regulation of private rented sector housing to increase energy efficiency standards as part of the development of Scotland’s Energy Efficiency programme. We will also, in due course, consult on phased regulation of other existing buildings to improve their energy efficiency to support the aims of the programme as well as looking at what financial incentives may be appropriate. Further detail on Scotland’s Energy Efficiency programme will be set out in the draft energy strategy in winter 2016.

The programme for government reaffirms our commitment to develop a very significant energy efficiency and low carbon heat generation programme and includes a commitment to make available over half a billion pounds to Scotland’s Energy Efficiency Programme over the next four years.

A one-size fits all target may not be appropriate for something as diverse as Scotland’s housing stock. We are currently undertaking analysis as part of the development of the Climate Change Plan which will inform the long term objectives of the National Infrastructure Priority. Further details will be set out in the draft Energy Strategy, which will be published for consultation alongside the draft Climate Change Plan winter 2016.

I fully appreciate and value the essential service and vital role Retained Duty System firefighters play in keeping the rural and remote communities of Scotland safe.

However, the recruitment and retention of retained firefighters within Scotland’s Fire Service is an operational matter for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

 

I have asked Colin McConnell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service, to respond. His response is as follows:

The National Tobacco Strategy Work stream has recommended that all Scottish prisons should be smoke-free within a timescale of up to five years.

The smoke-free policy will be comprehensive i.e. smoking will not be permitted indoors or outdoors in Scottish prisons.

SPS will be working closely with NHS Health boards and Scottish Government as well as other partner agencies to develop comprehensive plans in preparation for the change.

Smoking cessation services in prisons are delivered by NHS Health boards. NHS boards do not currently have plans in place for implementation of smoke-free prisons. They will be key stakeholders in the partnership approach with Scottish Government and SPS. Health boards will need sufficient time to model demands on cessation services and required resources (e.g. skilled smoking cessation staff and pharmacotherapy), agree budgets, and put funding in place to expand the service to meet demand.

Implementation of smoke-free prisons will be supported and monitored by a large scale study, which will play a vital role in helping SPS and NHS boards prepare to make changes.

A decision has still to be made on whether e-cigarettes will be allowed. This is being considered by a working group, which includes NHS specialists and leading academics from Scottish universities, to support an informed decision on e-cigarettes.

The Programme for government announced on 6 September 2016 confirmed that the Scottish Government will take forward the implementation of the recommendations of the Wildlife Crime Penalties Review Group as set out in the Scottish Government response: http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0049/00494565.pdf

Some of these recommendations will require primary legislation and we are in the process of identifying a legislative vehicle. Relevant discussions are also taking place with other parties.